The show was hosted by local radio station 102.5 KDON and organized by DJ Sam "Diggedy" Segovia.

Rene's emotion-packed performance blended soulful acoustic guitar songs like "Where Do We Go From Here," with high-energy hip-hop beats for the hundreds of screaming fans inside the Catalyst.

Rene performed his hit single, "Young Homie," together with his sister, Gina Rene, as the final song of the night.

The most unexpected fan that showed up for Rene's biggest concert of the year was none other than rock singer James Durbin.

Last year, Rene was working as a garbage collector in Santa Cruz in order to pay the bills and had just completed rehab when he auditioned for "The X-Factor." The talent television show launched Rene into a celebrity spotlight as he made the Top 3.

Just a few months earlier, fellow Santa Cruz native Dubin was also catapulted into celebrity status when he made the Top 4 on "American Idol."

Durbin looked happy on Saturday as he hung out backstage and showed his support for Rene. While Durbin was satisfied to take a day off from work, a dizzying number of talented artists jumped on the Catalyst's stage as opening acts, including rappers Royalty, Cruz Matik, Travis "Rocstar" Lindsley, and Anya.

"Wow! Santa Cruz concert was crazy!" Chris Rene wrote on his Facebook wall as soon as the concert ended.

"I'm so blessed, love life baby," wrote Rene, who had the words "love life" tattooed on his fingers.

In the spirit of "love life," a Santa Cruz-based non-profit group called Grind Out Hunger benefited from the concert.

Rene and Royalty signed Grind Out Hunger T-shirts that sold out before the show even started. In addition, more than 2,500 meals for children were donated by enthusiastic fans who bought brightly colored wristbands.